







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I think we should wait for a while till all that smoke disappears. | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | |
| Do you mean Rebecca and Cecilia? | |
| No, I'm a real estate agent. | |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| But Tesco is bigger, it has more variety of products. | |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | |
| I live very close by. | |
| Okay, so what's our plan now? | |
| By the way, the deposit is £3,000 and non-negotiable... | |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | |
| Yes I did, why, isn't it normal? | |
| The cat is not actually mine, it's my girlfriend's cat. | |